Prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC): decision-making
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC): decision-making. The family should be fully involved from the beginning. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
The family’s role
- The family should be fully involved from the beginning
- The family members should not make healthcare decisions
- The family should give information about the patient's wishes
- The family should be involved in best interest meetings
Care team
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References
- Turner-Stokes L. Prolonged disorders of consciousness: new national clinical guidelines from the Royal College of Physicians, London. Clin Med 2014; 14:4-5.
- Wade DT. Managing prolonged disorders of consciousness. Practitioner 2014; 258:25-30.
- Wade D. Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: more than a clinical challenge. Pract Neurol 2014; 14:2-3.
- de Biase S, Gigli GL, Lorenzut S, et al. The importance of polysomnography in the evaluation of prolonged disorders of consciousness: sleep recordings more adequately correlate than stimulus-related evoked potentials with patients' clinical status. Sleep Med 2014; 15:393-400.
